Out and Proud Celebrities

Ian Thorpe

The Olympic swimming champion came out in a TV interview with Michael Parkinson in July 2014, ending years of speculation. Thorpe, Australia's most decorated swimmer, had denied in his 2012 memoir that he was gay. "Part of me didn't know if Australia wanted its champion to be gay [now] I am telling the world that I am," he said. Thorpe added that h… Read moreThe Olympic swimming champion came out in a TV interview with Michael Parkinson in July 2014, ending years of speculation. Thorpe, Australia's most decorated swimmer, had denied in his 2012 memoir that he was gay. "Part of me didn't know if Australia wanted its champion to be gay [now] I am telling the world that I am," he said. Thorpe added that he had battled depression and alcoholism, and contemplated suicide. "I couldn't do it to [friends and family]," he said. "It was the only thing that stopped me."
Photo by: Corbis

Daniel Franzese

The Mean Girls star came out in April 2014 through a letter he penned to his film character Damian. "I had the perfect opportunity in 2004 to let people know the REAL Daniel Franzese," he wrote in the letter, which was posted on Indiewire.com. "Now in 2014 - ten years later - looking back, it took YOU to teach me how to be proud of myself again. It… Read moreThe Mean Girls star came out in April 2014 through a letter he penned to his film character Damian. "I had the perfect opportunity in 2004 to let people know the REAL Daniel Franzese," he wrote in the letter, which was posted on Indiewire.com. "Now in 2014 - ten years later - looking back, it took YOU to teach me how to be proud of myself again. It’s okay if no one wants to sit at the table with the 'art freaks.' Being a queer artist is one of my favorite things about myself. I have always been different and that's rad."Add to Watchlist: Daniel Franzese
Photo by: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage

Tyler Glenn

The Mormon-raised lead singer for pop quartet Neon Trees came out as gay in an interview with Rolling Stone in March 2014. "I've always felt like I'm an open book, and yet obviously I haven't been completely," Glenn said at the time. Inspired by the coming out of several professional athletes like Michael Sam and Jason Collins, Glenn went public ab… Read moreThe Mormon-raised lead singer for pop quartet Neon Trees came out as gay in an interview with Rolling Stone in March 2014. "I've always felt like I'm an open book, and yet obviously I haven't been completely," Glenn said at the time. Inspired by the coming out of several professional athletes like Michael Sam and Jason Collins, Glenn went public about his sexuality only several months after he started coming out to family and friends in October 2013. "Yes. I am a happy and healthy Mormon gay pop star. I don't know what it all means, but I'm OK with it," Glenn tweeted the day the interview was published.
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Kristian Nairn

The Game of Thrones star, best known for playing Hodor on the HBO show, came out in an interview with a fan site for the fantasy series WinterIsComing.net. "It’s a privilege, and I really mean that," he said. "I’ve never hidden my sexuality from anyone, my whole life in fact, and I’ve been waiting for someone to ask about it in an interview,… Read moreThe Game of Thrones star, best known for playing Hodor on the HBO show, came out in an interview with a fan site for the fantasy series WinterIsComing.net. "It’s a privilege, and I really mean that," he said. "I’ve never hidden my sexuality from anyone, my whole life in fact, and I’ve been waiting for someone to ask about it in an interview, [because] it’s not something you just blurt out. I’ve tried to lead the questions a few times, to no avail!”Add to Watchlist: Kristian Nairn
Photo by: HBO

Ellen Page

The Juno actress came out in an inspiring and candid speech on Valentine's Day 2014. "I'm here today because I am gay. And because maybe I can make a difference," Page said at the Time to THRIVE conference. The actress added she was "tired of lying by omission" and that "we deserve toexperience love fully, equally, without shame and without comprom… Read moreThe Juno actress came out in an inspiring and candid speech on Valentine's Day 2014. "I'm here today because I am gay. And because maybe I can make a difference," Page said at the Time to THRIVE conference. The actress added she was "tired of lying by omission" and that "we deserve toexperience love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise. There are too many kids out there suffering from bullying, rejection or simply being mistreated because of who they are."Add to Watchlist: Ellen Page
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Robin Roberts

The Good Morning America co-host came out in December 2013 via a reflective year-end Facebook post, revealing a relationship with her "longtime girlfriend" Amber Laign, a native of the San Francisco Bay Area who works as a massage therapist. In the post, Roberts writes: "I am grateful for my entire family, my longtime girlfriend, Amber, and friend… Read moreThe Good Morning America co-host came out in December 2013 via a reflective year-end Facebook post, revealing a relationship with her "longtime girlfriend" Amber Laign, a native of the San Francisco Bay Area who works as a massage therapist. In the post, Roberts writes: "I am grateful for my entire family, my longtime girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together."Add to Watchlist: Robin Roberts
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Brian Boitano

The Olympic gold medalist came out as gay is December 2013, days after being appointed to the United States' official Olympic delegation for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. "I am many things: a son, a brother, and uncle, a friend, an athlete, a cook, an author, and being gay is just one part of who I am," Boitano, 50, said in a statement.
Add to Watchlist: Brian Boitano
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Maria Bello

The veteran TV and film actress revealed she was in a long-term relationship with her female best friend in a New York Times editorial in December 2013. In the essay, titled "Coming Out as a Modern Family," Bello opened up about sharing the news with her 12-year-old son Jackson from a previous relationship, as well as her parents. Despite her "deep… Read moreThe veteran TV and film actress revealed she was in a long-term relationship with her female best friend in a New York Times editorial in December 2013. In the essay, titled "Coming Out as a Modern Family," Bello opened up about sharing the news with her 12-year-old son Jackson from a previous relationship, as well as her parents. Despite her "deeper" love with a woman named Clare, Bello said she still doesn't identify as gay or bisexual. "I would like to consider myself a 'whatever,' as Jackson said," she wrote. "Whomever I love, however I love them, whether they sleep in my bed or not, or whether I do homework with them or share a child with them, 'love is love.' And I love our modern family. Maybe, in the end, a modern family is just a more honest family."Add to Watchlist: Maria Bello
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Bob Harper

The Biggest Loser trainer came out at the age of 48 on the NBC weight loss show in November 2013, even though he told his family when he was 17. He decided to discuss his sexuality publicly after meeting one of this season's contestants who was struggling to come out to his strict Catholic family. "I want to show Bobby that he doesn't have to live… Read moreThe Biggest Loser trainer came out at the age of 48 on the NBC weight loss show in November 2013, even though he told his family when he was 17. He decided to discuss his sexuality publicly after meeting one of this season's contestants who was struggling to come out to his strict Catholic family. "I want to show Bobby that he doesn't have to live in shame," Harper said. "Being gay doesn't mean being weak and being gay doesn't mean you're less than anybody else. It's just who you are."Add to Watchlist: Bob Harper
Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBC

Maulik Pancholy

The actor, who who played Jack Donaghy's fawning assistant Jonathan on 30 Rock came out in November 2013. He told OUT Magazine that he and his partner just celebrated their ninth anniversary. "It feels like a nice time to be celebrating something like that, especially on the heels of the DOMA and Prop 8 decisions," he said.
Add to Watchlist: Maulik Pancholy
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Michelle Rodriguez

The Fast & the Furious star came out as bisexual in October 2013. "I've gone both ways," she told Entertainment Weekly. "I do as I please. I am too f---ing curious to sit here and not try when I can. Men are intriguing. So are chicks."
Add to Watchlist: Michelle Rodriguez
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Wentworth Miller

The Prison Break star revealed he was gay in a letter condemning Russia's anti-LGBT laws in August 2013. Miller declined an invitation to the Russian Film Festival, writing: "As a gay man, I must decline. I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government. The situation is in no way acce… Read moreThe Prison Break star revealed he was gay in a letter condemning Russia's anti-LGBT laws in August 2013. Miller declined an invitation to the Russian Film Festival, writing: "As a gay man, I must decline. I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government. The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly."Add to Watchlist: Wentworth Miller
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Jason Collins

In May 2013, Collins became the first active NBA player to come out. "I'm happy to start the conversation," he wrote in Sports Illustrated. "I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, 'I'm different.' If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand."
Add to Watchlist: Jason Collins
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Victor Garber

The actor publicly addressed his sexuality in January 2013 after Garber was asked to confirm information posted on Wikipedia about his longtime boyfriend Raineer Andreesen, a Canadian artist and model. "I don't really talk about it but everybody knows," Garber said. Although the public didn't take note, Garber had spoken out about his partner befor… Read moreThe actor publicly addressed his sexuality in January 2013 after Garber was asked to confirm information posted on Wikipedia about his longtime boyfriend Raineer Andreesen, a Canadian artist and model. "I don't really talk about it but everybody knows," Garber said. Although the public didn't take note, Garber had spoken out about his partner before, when he told a Canadian magazine in 2012, "My companion... and I have been together almost 13 years in Greenwich Village."Add to Watchlist: Victor Garber
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Anderson Cooper

The CNN anchor came out in July 2012 in an email to The Daily Beast reporter Andrew Sullivan. "The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud," he wrote.
Add to Watchlist: Anderson Cooper
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Jim Parsons

A May 2012 New York Times article confirmed The Big Bang Theory star's sexuality when the writer revealed that Parsons was not only gay, but in a 10-year relationship.
Add to Watchlist: Jim Parsons
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Matt Bomer

While accepting an award at the 2012 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards, the White Collar hottie thanked his partner Simon Halls and their three children "for teaching me what unconditional love is. You will always be my proudest accomplishment."
Add to Watchlist: Matt Bomer
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Johnny Weir

The flamboyant figure skater came out of the closet in his 2011 autobiography Welcome to My World. Weir married his boyfriend Victor Voronov, a Georgetown Law graduate, that December.
Add to Watchlist: Johnny Weir
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Zachary Quinto

The Heroes alum first referred to himself "as a gay man" in an interview with New York Magazine in October 2011.
Add to Watchlist: Zachary Quinto
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Don Lemon

The CNN anchor came out to the New York Times in 2011. "I think if I had seen more people like me who are out and proud, it wouldn't have taken me 45 years to say it — to walk in the truth," he said.
Add to Watchlist: Don Lemon
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Jonathan Knight

After '80s pop star Tiffany told Watch What Happens: Live host Andy Cohen that Knight "became gay" after they dated, the New Kids on the Block singer confirmed he is gay on the band's blog in 2011.
Add to Watchlist: Jonathan Knight
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Chely Wright

Country singer Chely Wright told People magazine in May 2010: "Nothing in my life has been more magical than the moment I decided to come out."
Add to Watchlist: Chely Wright
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Anna Paquin

In April 2010, True Blood's Paquin made the declaration that she is bisexual in a public service announcement for the True Colors Fund, a nonprofit co-founded by Cyndi Lauper that promotes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.
Add to Watchlist: Anna Paquin
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Ricky Martin

The Latin pop star and father of two openly discussed his sexuality for the first time on his website in March 2010, saying he was proud to be "a fortunate gay man."
Add to Watchlist: Ricky Martin
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Sean Hayes

The Will & Grace star discussed his sexuality with The Advocate in March 2010, saying: "I am who I am. I was never in, as they say. Never."
Add to Watchlist: Sean Hayes
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Tila Tequila

In 2009, the reality star tweeted: "I was in denial for a long time and I found that lying to myself isn't cool. I finally realized that im [sic] lesbian. Not bisexual. I love women."
Add to Watchlist: Tila Tequila
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Adam Lambert

After months of speculation about American Idol Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert's sexuality, the rocker told Rolling Stone in June 2009 he is gay and even had a crush on winner Kris Allen.
Add to Watchlist: Adam Lambert
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Stephen Fry

The Blackadder star took a very personal interest in 2009's International Coming Out Day when he tweeted: "Oh my, it's International Coming Out Day — just time to announce that I'm a screaming gaysexual before midnight strikes." A year later, he wrote in his memoir that he's "'90 percent gay,' which is of course pretty damned gay, but every n… Read moreThe Blackadder star took a very personal interest in 2009's International Coming Out Day when he tweeted: "Oh my, it's International Coming Out Day — just time to announce that I'm a screaming gaysexual before midnight strikes." A year later, he wrote in his memoir that he's "'90 percent gay,' which is of course pretty damned gay, but every now and again on my path through life I have met a woman in the 10 percent bracket."Add to Watchlist: Stephen Fry
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Chris Colfer

The actor officially came out during an appearance on Chelsea Lately in 2009, confirming to the host that, like his Glee character Kurt Hummel, he is also gay.
Add to Watchlist: Chris Colfer
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Chaz Bono

Bono (formerly Chastity Bono) came out as transgender in 2009 when he announced plans to transition from female to male.
Add to Watchlist: Chaz Bono
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Meredith Baxter

After three failed marriages, the Family Ties matriarch told the Today show's Matt Lauer in December 2009 that her realization that she was gay was "a later-in-life recognition."
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Wanda Sykes

Following the passage of Proposition 8 in November 2008, the comedian said at a gay rights rally in Las Vegas: "I'm proud to be gay."
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Luke MacFarlane

The Brothers & Sisters star came out to Canadian paper Globe and Mail in 2008. "I don't know what will happen professionally," MacFarlane admitted. "That is the far, but I guess I can't really be concerned about what will happen, because it's my truth."
Add to Watchlist: Luke MacFarlane
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Clay Aiken

The former American Idol finalist appeared on the cover of People in September 2008 holding his infant son with the words "Yes, I'm Gay" across the photo.
Add to Watchlist: Clay Aiken
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Jodie Foster

After years of refusing to discuss her sexuality, Foster came out in 2007 during an acceptance speech at a Women in Entertainment breakfast. The actress paid tribute to her partner of 14 years when she thanked her girlfriend Cydney Bernard, with whom she has two sons.
Add to Watchlist: Jodie Foster
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Neil Patrick Harris

Following reports about NPH's homosexuality, the How I Met Your Mother star confirmed to People magazine in November 2006 that he is a "very content gay man."
Add to Watchlist: Neil Patrick Harris
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Lance Bass

In July 2006, the 'N Sync alum came out on the cover of People and told the magazine he is "more liberated and happy than I've been my whole life."
Add to Watchlist: Lance Bass
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Portia de Rossi

The Arrested Development star came out in 2005 in Details and The Advocate. Three years later, she married talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
Add to Watchlist: Portia De Rossi
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Cynthia Nixon

Nixon began dating education activist Christine Marinoni in January 2004, but was evasive with the press about her sexuality. Then in September 2006, the Sex and the City co-star told New York magazine: "I met this woman, I fell in love with her, and I’m a public figure."
Add to Watchlist: Cynthia Nixon
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Rosie O'Donnell

During her standup routine at the Ovarian Cancer Research benefit in 2002, O'Donnell came out as gay, saying, "I don't know why people make such a big deal about the gay thing… People are confused, they're shocked, like this is a big revelation to somebody."
Add to Watchlist: Rosie O'Donnell
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George Michael

A week after getting arrested for his infamous bathroom incident in 1998, the singer came out in a CNN interview.
Add to Watchlist: George Michael
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Ellen DeGeneres

The daytime talk-show host and American Idol judge came out on Time's cover in April 1997 with the headline that read, "Yep, I'm Gay." Her sitcom character at the time, Ellen Morgan (Ellen), also came out about the same time to her therapist, played by Oprah Winfrey. The episode marked the first gay or lesbian leading character on television.
Add to Watchlist: Ellen DeGeneres
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Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Ferguson's father had a hard time accepting when the Modern Family star came out in his early 20s. "At one point, he asked me if I had a girlfriend after I'd already come out to him, and I had to reiterate, 'No, Dad, I'm gay.'" Ferguson told Out magazine.
Add to Watchlist: Jesse Tyler Ferguson
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Billie Joe Armstrong

Melissa Etheridge

The singer-songwriter announced she is a lesbian at the 1993 Triangle Ball, a gay and lesbian inauguration party for President Bill Clinton.
Add to Watchlist: Melissa Etheridge
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T.R. Knight

After reports that Grey's Anatomy co-stars Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington were involved in an argument in which Washington allegedly said a gay slur, Knight released a statement through People in October 2006 that read, "While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."
Add to Watchlist: T.R. Knight
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Jane Lynch

The Glee actress came out to her parents in a letter when she was 32. "It was great," she said of her parents' reaction. "When I was 18, I think it would have been a different story. They had heard of gay people at this point," she joked.
Add to Watchlist: Jane Lynch
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George Takei

In October 2005, Star Trek's original Sulu confirmed that he is gay to Frontiers, a Los Angeles magazine covering gay and lesbian issues. He also revealed he had been in a committed 18-year relationship with partner Brad Altman, whom he married in September 2008.
Add to Watchlist: George Takei
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k.d. lang

Known for her play with sexuality and sexual orientation, the singer officially came out in a 1992 interview with The Advocate.
Add to Watchlist: k.d. lang
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Sir Ian McKellen

The Lord of the Rings star came out in Capitol Gay magazine in 1988, saying that coming out was crucial to one's self esteem.
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Elton John

John came out in a 1976 Rolling Stone cover story, in which he also stated that everyone was bisexual to a certain degree.
Add to Watchlist: Elton John
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David Hyde Pierce

While he declined to discuss his private life in the media, in May 2007 the Frasier star's publicist confirmed said Pierce is gay and in a long-term relationship with TV producer Brian Hargrove. The two married in October 2008 after being together for 25 years.
Add to Watchlist: David Hyde Pierce
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Graham Norton

"I've had a lot off good press off the back of coming out from friends, family, newspapers and the public. I've been very lucky. I get a lot of nice comments saying 'well done' from gay people and 'fair play to you," Norton said of his coming out.
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Boy George

"I think you do things in your own time. My family knew I was gay when I was 15, long before I got famous. But it's a very different thing coming out to your family and coming out to the universe. That's a big step," Boy George said in 2011.
Add to Watchlist: Boy George
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Alan Cumming

The actor came out as bisexual in 1998 and married his partner Grant Shaffer in January 2012 in New York City.
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David Bowie

The singer declared himself bisexual during a 1972 interview with Michael Watts of Melody Maker, but in 1983 Bowie took back the proclamation, referring to it as a huge mistake.
Add to Watchlist: David Bowie
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Kelly McGillis

In April 2009, the Top Gun star was asked on the SheWired.com Internet show Girl Rock! what kind of partner she's looking for. Her response? "Definitely a woman ... I'm done with the man thing."
Add to Watchlist: Kelly McGillis
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